Model vehicle and track combination

ABSTRACT

A model vehicle has a steering actuator configured to be actuated by a bias from a remote controller and a magnetic bias from a track. The track has a main guide  2,4  providing the magnetic bias which is greater than the radio controller bias. It also has one or more junction guides  1  and corresponding alternative guides  3.  The junction guides  1  have a magnetic bias that is less than the radio controller bias. This means that in use, providing the radio controller bias when the vehicle is over a junction guide  1  causes the actuator to steer the vehicle via an alternative guide  3  to a main guide  4.

Cross reference to Related Applications

This application claims the benefit of U.K. Patent Application No. GB1103173.9, filed Feb. 24, 2010.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to model vehicle and track combinations, lane change sections of track, and vehicles for use with such a combination.

Model or toy vehicles or cars guided by a magnet following a ferromagnetic wire or strip embedded in the track surface are known. The magnet is attached to a horizontally pivoting arm under the front of the car which is also connected to the steerable front wheels so that, as the magnet follows the guide wire, the front wheels are steered to also follow the guide wire around the track. Racing such model cars is known as follows. The cars are powered by electric motors with onboard batteries and have speed control and an alternative steering actuator operated by the drivers using a radio control system. This is to enable the cars to be steered to different guide wires to enable overtaking or to take a faster route through a comer. The race tracks have two or more parallel guide wires forming two lanes. To enable the cars to change lanes in order to overtake, the existing method is to have a short gap in the guide wire at selected points around the race track. When the car reaches this gap, the sideways and downward pull of the magnet is eliminated and it is then possible to steer the car away from its default straight-on path towards an alternative guide wire leading to another lane or route by using the radio controlled (r/c) steering actuator. This system relies on the power of the r/c actuator being less than that of the power of the steering magnet as it is necessary to apply the r/c steering some distance before the lane change point because driver reactions are not quick enough to apply the steering exactly at the lane change point, which may be only 2 to 3 cm long.

This gap in the guide wire system causes problems however. The cars need to run straight ahead over the lane change section of the track by default unless the driver decides otherwise. To achieve this, the steerable front wheels of the car need castor or a centralising spring, magnet or similar. The faster the speed of the car over the gap in the wire, the greater the tendency is for it to go straight on. So at fast points around the track, such as the main straight, it is necessary for the wire gap to be increased in length. If the cars are driven slowly at this point however, possibly by accident or by a novice driver, the radio controlled steering will operate more effectively and the car may turn too sharply, miss the alternative guide wire and run off the track. Also, as it is necessary for the cars to be able to change from the left hand lane to the right and vice versa, the radio controlled steering must be able to turn the car to the left or to the right. A further problem which arises from the guide wire gap is that if the steering is inadvertently turned the wrong way, which is quite easy for a novice driver, the car will leave the track and crash.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a model vehicle and track combination comprising: a model vehicle, a remote controller and a track. The vehicle comprises a steering actuator configured to be actuated by a first bias and a second, magnetic, bias. The remote controller is configured to provide the first bias. The track comprises a main ferromagnetic guide configured to provide a second bias that is greater than the first bias. The track also comprises one or more junction ferromagnetic guides and corresponding alternative ferromagnetic guides, the junction guides providing a second bias that is less than first bias. In use, providing the first bias when the vehicle is over a junction ferromagnetic guide causes the actuator to steer the vehicle via the alternative guide to a main ferromagnetic drive. The fact that the second bias is reduced at the junction ferromagnetic guide means that application of the first bias steers the vehicle the alternative guide. Thus in the present invention, the gap in the guide wire disclosed in the prior art is replaced with a junction.

The magnitude of the second bias may be determined by a distance between the guide and the actuator, or it may be determined by the material composition of the guide. The guides may include ferromagnetic wire or strip embedded in the track surface.

The junction guide may be a flat metal plate. The lower face of the junction guide may be level with a lower surface of the adjacent main guide. The width of the flat metal plate provides second bias to the actuator whatever the speed of the vehicle. The fact that there is a flat plate means there is a change of guidance material rather than a gap in the lane change section.

The steering actuator may comprise a steering plate and a guidance magnet arm. The guidance magnet arm may comprise a permanent guidance magnet positioned near a centre line between axles of front wheels of the vehicle, the guidance magnet arm pivotally connected to the steering plate. In use, the guidance magnet follows the guides in the track and causes the front wheels to steer the vehicle.

The steering actuator may comprise a steering plate, two permanent magnets attached to the steering plate; and a fixed electromagnet located adjacent to the permanent magnets. In use, the controller causes the fixed electromagnet to interact with the permanent magnets to provide the first bias causing the front wheels to steer the vehicle. One permanent magnet may have its north pole adjacent to the electromagnet and the other has its south pole so positioned. Current fed through the electromagnet from a radio receiver may attract one of the permanent magnets, thus moving the steering plate and causing the front wheels to steer the vehicle.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a lane change section for a model vehicle and track combination in which the vehicle comprises a steering actuator configured to be actuated by a first bias and a second bias. The track comprises a main ferromagnetic guide configured to provide the second bias greater than the first bias, and in which the first bias is provided by a remote controller and the second bias is a magnetic bias. The lane change region comprises a junction ferromagnetic guide and a corresponding alternative ferromagnetic guide, the second bias provided by the junction guide being less than the first bias and less than that provided by the main ferromagnetic guide. In use, the vehicle can be steered to the alternative guide when the first bias is provided.

The magnitude of the second bias may be determined by a distance between the guide and the actuator, or it may be determined by the material composition of the guide. The guides may include ferromagnetic wire or strip embedded in the track surface.

The junction guide may be a flat metal plate that is thinner than the main guide. The lower face of the junction guide may be level with a lower surface of the adjacent main guide. The width of the flat metal place provides second bias to the actuator whatever the speed of the vehicle.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a model vehicle for use with a track comprising a main region including a main ferromagnetic guide, the vehicle comprising a steering actuator configured to be actuated by a first bias provided by a remote controller and a second bias provided by the track, in which the second bias is a magnetic bias. The steering actuator may comprise a steering plate and a guidance magnet arm. The guidance magnet arm may comprise a permanent guidance magnet positioned near a centre line between axles of front wheels of the vehicle, the guidance magnet arm pivotally connected to the steering plate. In use, the guidance magnet follows the guides in the track and causes the front wheels to steer the vehicle.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a model vehicle for use with a track comprising a main region including a main ferromagnetic guide, the vehicle comprising a steering actuator configured to be actuated by a first bias provided by a remote controller and a second bias provided by the track, in which the second bias is a magnetic bias. The steering actuator may comprise a steering plate, two permanent magnets attached to the steering plate; and a fixed electromagnet located adjacent to the permanent magnets. In use, the controller causes the fixed electromagnet to interact with the permanent magnets to provide the first bias causing the front wheels to steer the vehicle. One permanent magnet may have its north pole adjacent to the electromagnet and the other has its south pole so positioned. Current fed through the electromagnet from a radio receiver may attract one of the permanent magnets, thus moving the steering plate and causing the front wheels to steer the vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For a more complete explanation of the present invention and the technical advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following description and the accompanying drawing in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B are a plan view of a lane change section of the race track;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a steering actuator for a vehicle; and

FIG. 3 is a side view of the actuator shown in FIG. 2

Embodiments of the present invention and their technical advantages may be better understood by referring to FIG. 1.

FIGS. 1A and 1B show the lane change section of the race track, which comprises main guides 2,4, junction guide 1 and alternative guide 3. This arrangement permits a model vehicle to be steered by a remote control away from its default straight on route 2 to an overtaking lane or other route 4 via an alternative guide 3. Typically guides 2-4 comprise wires which can comprise, for example, ferromagnetic material. Guides 2-4 provide a second bias to a steering actuator in the model vehicle.

Junction guide 1 in guide 2 is comprised of a flat metal plate which is thinner than guide 2. Guide 1 provides a second bias to a steering actuator in the model vehicle. The shape of the flat metal plate can be, for example a wedge shape as shown in FIG. 1A or rectangular as shown in FIG. 1B. The plate comprises, for example, a ferromagnetic material. Junction 1 is fitted with its lower face on the same level as the bottom of the guide 2. This means that the distance from a guiding magnet 24 in the vehicle, which runs just above the guide, is increased at this point and therefore the magnetic attractive force is reduced. This means that a driver of the radio-controlled vehicle can cause a receiver in the car to apply a first bias to the steering actuator to. Guides 2-4 provide a second bias that is greater than the first bias, and guide 1 provides a second bias which is less than the first bias. The first bias attempts to divert magnet guiding arm 21 away from its straight on route towards the alternative guide 3 leading to an overtaking lane or other route 4. Thus providing the first bias when the vehicle is over junction guide 1 causes the actuator to steer the vehicle via an alternative guide 3 to a main guide 4 because the first bias is grater than the second bias provided by junction guide 1. The plate however, because of its greater width, retains sufficient attraction to the magnet 24 that the magnet stays within the confines of the plate area whatever the speed of the vehicle and, if the steering is accidentally turned the wrong way, holds the magnet to the default straight on route so avoiding the vehicle running off the road. This plate can be longer than the gap in the prior art systems, which allows a smoother and higher speed lane change.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show the arrangement of the steering actuator in the model vehicle and the linkage system from guidance magnet arm 21 through to steering plate 27 and to front wheel steering arms 23. Magnet 24 is located on guidance magnet arm 21, and is preferably positioned close to the centreline of the front wheel axles. If it is in front or behind this line, it will drag on the track over dips or hills in the track and, if in front of the front wheels, will tend to lift the rear wheels off the ground. The guidance magnet arm pivots behind the magnet 24 on pin 25, transmitting the second bias from guides 1-4 to the steering actuator. Pin 26 transmits the steering motion to the steering plate 27 which is then connected to the steering arms 23 and wheels 28 so that when the magnet moves to the right or left following the guide wire 29, the wheels are turned so that the vehicle also turns to the right or left. The vehicle chassis, suspension arms, and guidance magnet arm pivot support are not shown for clarity.

FIGS. 2 and 3 also show how the remote controlled steering operates when required to do so but not so that it interferes whilst the guidance magnet 24 is steering the vehicle. This is achieved by the use of a fixed electromagnet 22 positioned close to two permanent magnets 20 attached to a steering plate 27 which is connected both to the two front wheel steering arms 23 and also the guidance magnet arm 21. One permanent magnet 20 has its north pole adjacent to the electromagnet 22 and the other has its south pole so positioned. This arrangement allows a remote controller to control a direction of current flow in the electromagnet in order to actuate the steering actuator by a first bias: when a positive current is fed to the electromagnet 22 by a radio receiver, one permanent magnet 20 is attracted, thus turning the steering slightly and when a negative current is fed, the other permanent magnet 20 is attracted which turns the steering the opposite way. Only a few degrees of steering movement are necessary to achieve the lane change action. This lack of positive connection between the fixed electromagnet 22 and the moveable permanent magnets 20 on the steering plate 27 means that the guidance magnet 24 is free to control the vehicle steering except when overridden by the r/c controlled electromagnet when the vehicle is in a lane change section of the track.

Thus the present invention is a lane change system for toy or model racing vehicles in which the vehicles are guided by a horizontally pivoting magnet following a ferromagnetic wire, strip or tape embedded in the track surface and in which the track section includes a flat metal plate connecting the guide wires or strips which enables the vehicle to be steered by radio control to an alternative route without the loss of the magnetic guidance.

In another aspect the present invention is a steering actuator having a geometry in which the guidance magnet is positioned underneath the vehicle, above the guide wire in the track and near to the centre line of the front wheel stub axles. The magnet is fixed to an arm pivoting behind the magnet and extending further back to carry a vertical pin. This pin connects with a hole or slot in a steering plate which runs transversely across the vehicle and connects to the two steering arms running back from the front wheel king pins. Thus, as the magnet swings to the right following the guide wire, the front wheels will also turn to the right.

In a further aspect the present invention is a radio controlled override steering comprising an electromagnet fixed in the vehicle which, when powered by the radio system, attracts and repels permanent magnets fitted to a moveable steering plate connecting the front wheel steering arms which steers the vehicle to the right or left. If the vehicle driver does not operate the steering electromagnet when the vehicle is in a lane change section, the vehicle is free to be guided by the guidance magnet. 

1. A model vehicle and track combination comprising: a model vehicle comprising a steering actuator configured to be actuated by a first bias and a second bias, in which the second bias is a magnetic bias; a remote controller configured to provide the first bias; and a track comprising a main guide configured to provide a second bias that is greater than the first bias, and one or more junction guides and corresponding alternative guides, the junction guides configured to provide a second bias that is less than first bias; wherein, in use, providing the first bias when the vehicle is over a junction guide causes the actuator to steer the vehicle via an alternative guide to a main guide.
 2. The model vehicle and track combination of claim 1 in which a magnitude of the second bias is determined by a distance between the guide and the actuator.
 3. The model vehicle and track combination of claim 1 in which a magnitude of the second bias is determined by a material composition of the guide.
 4. The model vehicle and track combination of claim 1 in which the guides include wire or strip embedded in the track surface.
 5. The model vehicle and track combination of claim 1 in which the junction guide is a flat metal plate.
 6. The model vehicle and track combination of claim 5 in which a lower face of the junction guide is level with a lower surface of the adjacent main guide.
 7. The model vehicle and track combination of claim 5 in which the plate is configured to produce a second bias lower than a second bias produced by the guide wire.
 8. The model vehicle and track combination of claim 1 in which the steering actuator comprises: a steering plate; a guidance magnet arm comprising a permanent guidance magnet positioned near a centre line between axles of front wheels of the vehicle, the guidance magnet arm pivotally connected to the steering plate; wherein, in use, the guidance magnet follows the guides in the track and causes the front wheels to steer the vehicle.
 9. The model vehicle and track combination of claim 1 in which the steering actuator comprises: a steering plate; two permanent magnets attached to the steering plate; and a fixed electromagnet located adjacent to the permanent magnets; wherein, in use, the controller causes the fixed electromagnet to interact with the permanent magnets to provide the first bias, and when the first bias is greater than the second bias the front wheels steer the vehicle.
 10. The model vehicle and track combination of claim 9 in which one permanent magnet has its north pole adjacent to the electromagnet and the other has its south pole so positioned.
 11. The model vehicle and track combination of claim 10 in which a current fed through the electromagnet from a radio receiver attracts one of the permanent magnets, thus moving the steering plate causing the front wheels to steer the vehicle.
 12. A lane change section for a model vehicle and track combination in which the vehicle comprises a steering actuator configured to be actuated by a first bias and a second bias, the track comprises a main guide configured to provide the second bias greater than the first bias, and in which the first bias is provided by a remote controller and the second bias is a magnetic bias; the lane change region comprising a junction guide and a corresponding alternative guide, the junction guide configured to provide a second bias that is less than first bias; wherein, in use, the vehicle can be steered to the alternative guide when the first bias is provided.
 13. The lane change section of claim 12 in which the junction guide is a flat metal plate.
 14. The lane change section of claim 13 in which a lower face of the junction guide is level with a lower surface of the adjacent main guide.
 15. The lane change section of claim 13 in which the plate is configured to produce a second bias lower than a second bias produced by the guide wire.
 16. A model vehicle for use with a track comprising a main region including a main guide, the vehicle comprising a steering actuator configured to be actuated by a first bias provided by a remote controller and a second bias provided by the track, in which the second bias is a magnetic bias and in which the steering actuator comprises: a steering plate; a guidance magnet arm comprising a permanent guidance magnet positioned near a centre line between axles of front wheels of the vehicle, the guidance magnet arm pivotally connected to the steering plate; wherein, in use, the guidance magnet follows the guides in the track and causes the front wheels to steer the vehicle.
 17. The model vehicle of claim 16, the vehicle comprising a steering actuator configured to be actuated by a first bias provided by a remote controller and a second bias provided by the track, in which the second bias is a magnetic bias in which the steering actuator comprises: a steering plate; two permanent magnets attached to the steering plate; and a fixed electromagnet located adjacent to the permanent magnets; wherein, in use, the controller causes the fixed electromagnet to interact with the permanent magnets to provide the first bias causing the front wheels to steer the vehicle.
 18. The model vehicle of claim 17 in which one permanent magnet has its north pole adjacent to the electromagnet and the other has its south pole adjacent to the electromagnet.
 19. The model vehicle of claim 18 in which a current fed through the electromagnet by a radio receiver attracts one of the permanent magnets, thus moving the steering plate causing the front wheels to steer the vehicle. 